Smarty Pants

Aubrey still isn't the biggest fan of playtime at preschool, but she really LOVES learning. She especially likes to write her name. She tries to write it all by herself, but I think concentrating on making the letters and remembering which letter goes next is a tad too much for her right now. Here she is writing her name while mommy tells her which letter to write next. I think she's a little smarty pants! Barely three and writing her name...that's my big girl!



I really like how when her lines for her A don't connect, she stops to think about it and then tries to connect them. Only a mom analyzes things like that. ;)

You look terrible!

Man, I was in desperate need of some sleep for that last post. Sometimes, it's just nice to have a place to vent. I also didn't drink enough water that day, and my body is definitely effected when I'm dehydrated. The next day I was SOOO swollen! I mean everywhere! Which brings me to the topic of today's blog...things you hear when you're pregnant.

Now, I'm totally not one of those people who get irritated by the largeness comments (probably because I'm aware of my enormity), or the belly touching (unless it's some creepy guy), or even the random comments and questions about stuff that's pretty personal. I'm a pretty open book and will usually discuss whatever you want to discuss, but sometimes I can't help but laugh at what people feel comfortable saying. For instance, last Thursday upon arriving at work my VP told me I looked "terrible". Mostly out of concern for my well being, but still, not something you love to hear ;) . She had Toxemia (sp?) when she was pregnant with her kids, and she said that she noticed I was unusually swollen...everywhere. I knew it was just because I was dehydrated. It didn't stop there that morning. Another male teacher commented on how "terrible" I looked also. I was starting to feel pretty self-conscious. :)

Rewind a couple of weeks to when my principal is telling me about how my long term sub won't be available due to health issue. I'm in the middle of taking it all in...her diagnosis, my need to find a sub, etc...when he loudly exclaims, "Oh my goodness!" Concerned about his reaction I look at him and he's pointing to my hands. "Are your hands always that big or are you just swollen?" Seriously?! In front of my whole class too. I laugh. His reaction was so inappropriate it was funny, given the circumstances. I tell him that they are slightly swollen (I can't wear my ring), but they are also naturally large. My dad jokes that he has paws instead of hands, and, well, I think that may be one of the only physical features I inherited from him. ;) I've always dreamed of pretty, petite hands, but I'm pretty sure lypo on my fingers would be too pricey. LOL. My principal goes on to talk about how he's always been embarrassed of his own hand so I must REALLY be embarrassed. He has stopped by a couple of time since to pop his head in my door, point to his hand and laugh. So mature!

And it just goes on from there... People in Walmart who say "we better not get in her way, she could pop at any second" or "wow, you must really be ready". There are also those people who comment on or imitate the waddling. Seriously, I'm carrying around an extra 30 pounds or so, I've skipped cankles and basically have thankles, and my shoe size has gone up one whole size. Am I really expected to walk like a sexy lady? LOL!

Based on the fact that I'm just going to get bigger from here, I imagine there will be many more comments in the future. The key is to take them in stride and know that some women would give ANYTHING to have this big belly to touch, these cankles, and most important, a sweet baby growing inside of them. :) I'm blessed to "look terrible" ;)

Tonight...

* I'm a hormonal mess. I've gotten frustrated at the drop of a dime, and I'm all weepy...about pretty much everything. Maybe I should go to bed after this...

* My girl was a mess too. She really was sad that she couldn't go to the beach with Bubba. She was also SUPER tired. Trying to figure out when to and when not to nap is tough stuff. She didn't get a nap today because she was too busy playing with Brogan at Christy's, but fell asleep before I drove out of the neighborhood. Bedtime was rough. She would fall asleep only to wake up 5 minutes later SCREAMING for me. It made me cry...because, you know, I'm hormonal and easily frustrated.

*I got 2 goodmail packages when I picked up the mail! The Starbucks card that I won on Kourtni's blog (YAY, thanks again!) and two super cute Christmas gifts from etsy (one may end up being a gift for myself) ;).

*I'm willing to admit that I turn into a raging lunatic on the nights before I have work. What is my problem, seriously? Many women work and have children, but the stress gets to me. It's the get everyone's outfit ready, make sure we have diapers (yes, we still have them) and a change of clothes, try to get Aubrey in bed at a decent time so she's not overtired and grouchy...just the whole stinkin' routine. Then on top of it, I stress about how drop off and the day will go. She usually fasts and holds her pee pretty much the whole day at preschool. Stressful stuff I tell you. Oh, and did I mention that I get to spend the day with over 100 Jr Highers? I'm thankful for my job, really I am. I just wish I could be a bit less of a lunatic. LOL.

*I'm looking forward to a WHOLE WEEK OFF next week! And then, IF I make it all the way to Christmas break, I only have 7, SEVEN, days of work left until maternity leave!

*I already went in to give Aubrey an extra kiss and love after she fell asleep because I'm consumed with the overwhelming love I have for this kid that can frustrate me like no other. I sure am thankful that the little strong-willed, blue eyed blonde is ours!

*I'm already impatient to meet this little one growing in me. I really hope this baby isn't late because I think I'd be a bit of a mess. Not to mention the fact that my body already aches all over, so I'm not sure how I'll possibly grow for 6+ more weeks.

*I need to get off the computer and go to bed!

And the winners are...

First, I made a list of all of the entries and put a star by the "Lovely Ladies Only" entries. I had Aubrey pick a winner then took out the starred names and had her pick again. Not high tech, but it works. ;)

Lovely Ladies:


Little Ladies:


Man, my voice is obnoxious. :) CONGRATS and thanks for playing along and reading my rambling. :)

I have Angela's info, but I'll need Tristan to e-mail me hers. My junk e-mail is jt58blue at hotmail dot com.

Perfect Timing

30 weeks

It had been a year. A whole year since Justin and I started trying to get pregnant. Two losses later, I was losing patience. I was struggling to understand why God’s plan was so different from my own. It was time to try again, and though I desperately wanted to get pregnant, I wasn’t keen on the idea of a Christmas baby. Once again, God had different plans. Of course, I got pregnant the month that I didn’t want to, didn’t stress about it, didn’t chart, didn’t TRY to make it happen. You think God was trying to teach me a lesson about who was in control? Due January 2nd. Poor baby would have Christmas and a birthday all within a few days, but that was okay; we were having a baby! I still didn’t love the idea of having a Christmas baby, but I DID love this baby with my whole heart.

As my due date approaches, and so does Christmas, I’m more and more thankful for God’s timing in this pregnancy. There’s just something about this time of year that makes you rejoice. There’s anticipation. There’s thanksgiving (the emotion and holiday). There’s the promise of a new year, a new life, a new purpose—the birth of Our Savior. There’s celebration and togetherness. The songs, the story, the family—all a reminder of the greatest gift of all, salvation. And in addition to all of this, a new little life is joining our family.

The other day on my way to work a Christmas song came on the radio. I couldn’t help but tear up as I listened to the words and the anticipation of Christmas filled me. With it, came the anticipation of meeting this baby. I felt so blessed that God would give our family that yearly reminder of how wanted this baby was. A reminder of the heartache that I felt as we lost two other sweet little lives, but the healing that came as we anticipated this baby. A mending of my aching heart so great it’s hard to explain. Though I’m thankful that this baby is a tangible reminder of God’s mercy, I know the healing that I’m provided by this baby pales in comparison. The ultimate redemption, the ultimate healing happened because of a different baby born many moons ago. What a great season for a birthday!

God has blessed us with such a wonderful gift. He really does have perfect timing.

(I butchered one of our family pictures to get my belly shot above - crop, color edit, etc. I only have 5 that Misha e-mailed as a sneak peek and I didn't want to ruin the fun of new family photos for Chrismas cards. :) )

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway in the post below this one. :)

Girly Gift-away and Happy 300!

Hobby? Journal? Addiction? Perhaps all three.

Really though, I think that this whole "blog" world was a huge part of my transition into parenting. I started our blog when Aubrey was just 4 months old. I just had her, but also had Brogan on my days off. He wasn't even 2 yet. Life was so different then. Simpler. It seems odd to say that now, but really it was. Basically she would just eat, sleep and make dirty diapers. My how things change. I've really "become" a parent in the almost 3 years since I started this blog. I love looking back and seeing everything that's happened; the growth in our sweet girl and, of course, myself. We have our own little blogging community, and I feel like we're raising our children together...through cyberspace and real life. :) Sounds weird to an outsider, but all of you are an encouragement and inspiration. So, thanks!

Happy 300 posts to me! And to you? A girly gift-away!

What makes a gift-away different than a giveaway? Mainly it's the fact that most of the items were found in my "gift closet" and the others I made last night. Cheap, perhaps, but I like to call it resourceful. Also, these items would be great to save and give as a gift yourself. :) Win, WIN!

So you know the rules, post a comment and you'll be entered. Both of the "giftaways" are girly item collections, but one is for the older ladies, while the other is for the littlest ladies. You can be entered into both or specify one, whatever tickles your fancy. :) I'll probably draw names next Saturday. Bring on the comments!

Lovely Ladies Package

Old Navy scarf in a dark teal (looks kind of light here)

Cute earrings- Target

A little poppy for the ponytail (it's a bit big on my model)

Littlest Ladies Beanie and bow- candy cane colors- *note this beanie will fit 3-12 months best, but I have a red one that will fit older toddlers, if you would rather have that. :)

Owl swaddler, receiving blanket approx. 36" x 36"

I made this forever ago when Justin's grandma first gave me her surger. My original vision was for Davi's babe, but he was a "he". I saved it for Lorie's babe, and well, he was also a "he". So someone will hopefully enjoy it :)

P.S. If you're one of my friends who knows how to read, but not to comment, you can e-mail me or send me a facebook message to be entered. :)

Halloween Highlights

I've been wanting to do this post since Tuesday, but this week has flown by and well, now it's Friday. I've been also waiting to post all my Halloween pics because my last post was the BIG 300! I really want to do a giveaway, but I haven't had time to figure out the prizes...so I'll post the pictures anyways and do the giveaway in my next post...so stay tuned! Until then, our Halloween festivities...

It all started the week before Halloween with my sister's annual pumpkin carving party. Basically, we join the whole Slayton crew an have a yummy dinner and carve our best pumpkin. I had decided I wanted to do an owl, so I googled owl pumpkin and found my sample on the first page of results. As cute I thought my owl was, it only got 1 vote :( and I think that was from my hubby.
The competition was pretty intense though. If you know the Slaytons, you know they're competitive. :)

There was the bathroom remodel pumpkin.

the baby eating pumpkin

The pumpkin skeleton

And the biggest pumpkin of all, Baby Thompson. :)

Then it was time to really get working on my vision for Aubrey's kitty costume. I spent a total of $10 on her costume. I stitched the "fur" on really loosely, so I could cut it off and she could still wear the sweat suit afterwards.

Aubrey really wanted a mommy and daddy kitty too, so daddy wore this kitty mask and I used left over black boa from the spider bows to make him a tail. The mask kinda looks like a Batman mask now that I see the pictures. Oh well. :)

It was off to Papa CC's to trick or treat, but Aubrey was more interested in playing babies with Papa.

Then we headed to Kern City to pay Justin's Grandma a visit. Justin's cousin Annie was in town with her precious Strawberry, Ellie.

And finally, we headed to Gracie's on the way home for one last trick or treat. On our way out, we saw Justin's other cousin's kiddos. They were HILARIOUS! and had planned out little skits to do at the houses. The live right around the corner from us.

I'm kind of bummed that I didn't take as many pictures of people at each function as I'd like to. I'm also bummed that I didn't get to see ANY of my nieces or nephew on Halloween. But check out this garden gnome...um edible!

Camping with Daddy

Last week, Justin's dad was getting all his camping gear ready for a motorcycle trip to Death Valley. He was making sure that the tent was in tip top shape, so he had it set up in the living room. Aubrey was loving it!

Justin really wants to take her camping, but being enormously pregnant, I'm not up for it. Being the great daddy he is, he decided to take her camping in the backyard instead. Last Friday, he rushed home from work and set up the tent while still in his dress clothes. After dinner we made a fire in a mini bbq we had and roasted marshmallows for smores. Grandma came over to enjoy our campfire with us. Then it was time for bed. Justin and Aubrey snuggled up to watch a DVD together. I was pretty sure that Aubrey wouldn't be sleeping in the tent, but daddy gave it a try anyways. At about 9, she told dad that she wanted to go sleep in her own bed. We all had a cozy night's rest in our own beds, but still got to enjoy the best parts of camping. Justin's such a great daddy and husband. :)

{Make it *EASY*} Monday

Back for another installment of Gourmet Barbie...

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

I hate baking, I really do. I think it's all the mess that you're left with after, you know, sifting flour, measuring 20 different powdered ingredients, mixing half the stuff in one bowl, half in the other bowl, then "folding" it all in together. I have a hard enough time folding the laundry. :) All of these are great reasons to LOVE these Peanut Butter Cup Cookies. *Simply mix the cookie dough according to Betty Crocker's directions. (You'll need 1 tablespoon water, 3 tablespoons veggie oil and one egg)
* Grease a muffin pan
* Fill each cup with a nice big clump of dough (one bag should fill all 12 muffin tins)
*Bake according to instructions
*Remove from oven and add a Reese's in the center of the warm cookie
*Remove from tin when cool

YUM!
(On a side note, all my {Make it *EASY*} Monday images are borrowed from Google images and a Halloween post will be coming soon.)